The foster puppy program helps with the care of our future Dog Guides between 7 weeks and approximately 12-14 months. During this crucial time in each puppy's life, they are temporarily "adopted" by a foster family, who teach them basic skills and provide a solid foundation for their future.

Each puppy and their foster family are required to attend puppy training classes during their first year. This helps ensure that each puppy is learning the same basic skills that it will need to know before entering the official Dog Guide program.

While with their foster family, each puppy is expected to become familiar with social settings such as public transportation, malls and office spaces. By socializing each future Dog Guide, they are fully prepared for common settings that they might encounter once they are paired with their future handler. When out in public places, foster puppies are identified by their green jackets.

Upon returning to the training school, each puppy is screened for both physical soundness as well as temperament before entering the official Dog Guide training program. After successfully completing its training and being paired with a handler, each foster puppy officially becomes a working Dog Guide.